Category Archives: Compensation Study

The vote to ratify all three AFSCME contracts passed overwhelmingly and is headed to the City Commission for a vote tomorrow (Wednesday, 4/6) @ 1PM at City Hall. Thanks to all who’ve worked hard during this process and to everyone who came out for the vote today.

Come by the Commission Chambers tomorrow @ 1PM in your AFSCME green as a show of solidarity if you can and thanks again to our members for your continued support.

The contract negotiations have finally been completed. A ratification vote will be held on next Tuesday April 5th 2016 from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM at the Union Hall – 2734 Hollywood Boulevard (parking in the rear). This is a secret ballot vote and the ballots will be counted immediately after the closing of the vote. All employees should receive their letter explaining their classification and wage changes based on the Evergreen implementation by this coming Friday April 1st 2016. Below is the bargained contract language changes; please review them prior to casting your vote on April 5th 2016:

Our union’s bargaining team has fought long and hard on your behalf with the City to get fair contracts to bring back to you for ratification. Although we all know that no contract is ever perfect, we believe that the proposed agreements have us heading back in the right direction for restoring our rights, pay and benefits, toward where they were before the cutbacks we all endured as a consequence of financial urgency.

We hope you will agree that these agreements are fair, that they will move our union forward, and that they deserve your vote for ratification.

Below are highlights from the new contract which we’ll be bringing to you for a ratification vote soon:

EVERGREEN STUDY

The Evergreen Study will be implemented for all three bargaining units which merges pay grades (no more General/Enterprise/Tier A/Tier B). Employees have started receiving letters explaining their individual classification change and wage info. All employees should receive their letter within the next week.

WAGES:

October 2015 :

2.5% Wage Increase

1.5% Merit Increase

October 2016:

2.5% Wage Increase

1.5% Merit Increase

October 2017:

1% Wage Increase

0.5% additional wage increase if Pension funding meets threshold

PENSION:

30 years and out for those covered under the new normal retirement date calculation. An employee would have had to work until age 60 regardless of when hired (example: 20 year old currently has to work 40 years to retire)

We have reached a tentative 3-year agreement with the City after many months of negotiations. Highlights from the proposed changes are below. Stay tuned for more info.

Wage increases for all bargaining agreements:

A maximum of 4% in FY16 and FY17 and 1% in FY18. In FY16 and FY17, 2.5% is COLA and 1.5% is tied to merit. FY18 is 1% COLA only, no merit.

If you are over the wage scale for your position…which is calculated on base pay (minus all longevity and any certification pay), the COLA portion will be paid as a lump sum. All wage increases will be paid on Oct 1st from now on. No more waiting until your annual review.

Also, the implementation of pay ranges and classifications based on the Evergreen Study (with additional negotiated modifications). More info will be coming out soon.

Insurance:

No change in employee contribution. Any employee hiredafter ratification of this agreementwill not have their premiums paid by the City in retirement.

Union and Cityagrees to meet to discuss alternative health care plans during the duration of the agreement.

Pension:

Change the normal retirement date from age 60 with 30 years of service to 30 years of service regardless of age.

PENSION BOARD ELECTION:

Early voting for the Pension Board is in progress, and word is that the turnout has been low. It is important that AFSCME covered employees vote to ensure that the Board includes voices from the rank and file who will stand up for our negotiated retirement benefits. There is currently only 1 employee on the Pension Board that is covered by AFSCME (non-management). Please make sure to show up and make your voice heard.

General Bargaining Unit Members – Human Resources has emailed the Evergreen surveys which must be completed by this Friday, May 22nd. Members who don’t have access to a computer at work can have their department assist in registering them for a time slot to complete the surveys at the Hollywood Beach Community Center –> https://secure.e-registernow.com/cgi-bin/mkpayment.cgi?state=2061 or call H.R. for more details.

Also, members who are in the same job title should work together on a list of job duties so that all job duties are captured on the JAT and no duties are left out. We need as much participation as possible. This is your chance to speak out!

***UPDATE: FRIDAY, 4/17 IS THE LAST DAY FOR OUTREACH SESSIONS – REGISTRATION IS PREFERRED BUT NOT REQUIRED, COME OUT TO THE SESSION FOR YOUR GROUP!

Feeling underpaid and overworked? Doing the work of 2 or 3 job titles? Wondering why you are not paid what other cities and counties pay for similar jobs? Well now is the time to take part of the Evergreen Compensation Study.

The city has contracted with an outside consulting firm, Evergreen Solutions to update the City’s compensation and job classification system. The study is being done to analyze our job classifications for the actual duties and responsibilities of the classification, and determine a salary range which is equitable and competitive with like organizations in our area.

So this is what you need to do. REGISTER AND SHOW UP for one of the Employee Outreach sessions scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week. Refer to the email or schedules posted in your work area. Ask your Admin staff for info on how and when to attend a session.